Diesel exhaust cleanup

[reelaxin]

Hey guys, I am a diesel newby – been running gas boats up till this spring.
What products do y’all recommend for cleaning the diesel exhaust film off the transom after running the boat all day?
Other than a good coat of wax is there anything available to coat the gel coat with that makes getting this grey funk any easier to get off?



Thanks,

Mike

[clt_capt]

The best thing I've found is the Mr Clean Magic Eraser and a bit of elbow grease.

[billschwabe]

Is it gelcoat or paint now? After scrubbing with abrasives or harsh cleaners the surface will be porous and trap soot particles and you will fight it every day and wax unfortunately does the same thing, the softer was attracts and holds the particles. It will help somewhat if the paint/gelcoat is gone but it is just a band aid.

The best long term solution is to get a fresh coat of paint or gelcoat and do NOT wax it!I know a lot of people think you need to keep wax on paint but you really shouldn't wax a fresh paint job for several years until the shine is gone. Once you start waxing, you are condemned to wax regularly from then on. Good topcoats form a protective layer or skin as they cure and that layer, if left undisturbed, does a better job than anything else including wax.

[reelaxin]

[QUOTE=billschwabe;1980308]Is it gelcoat or paint now? QUOTE]

Gelcoat - good shape. Prevous owner had the boat waxed at least 2 times/ year.


I'll try the magic eraser - soaked it down with simple green cleaner yesterday and it seemed to work better than regular boat soap.

[Bonehead]

Once the gel coat become porous there isn't much you can do. Waxing will only make it harder to clean the next time. You have 2 solutions; 1) Clean it with Comet scrub every time. It's the ONLY soap that gets soot out, but it ruins the finish athough it sounds like your finish is finished anyway. 2) Apply a new coat of paint, preferably Awlgrip. It repels soot better than anything but you need to know how to use it or find someone who can. Both are chalanging. My suggestion is use the Comet. When you get tired of that it's time to Awlgrip.

[clt_capt]

Try the magic eraser before the comet. Yes they are slightly abrasive, but not nearly as abrasive as comet.

I had a really bad sooting problem a few years ago - finally got that resolved. Compounded the gelcoat, Waxed heavily and it seems to be holding up fairly well. At least I can get the transom clean at the end of the day with nothing more than mild soap now.

[gottaflylee]

"Grease Off" will also remove it. Spray it down and then take a soft mop brush to it.

[craigwill201]

re pitch your props, service the aftercooler so your engine is not overloaded. that is unburned fuel.

[Bonehead]

Good point. Be sure you're getting the full RPM with the throttles pinned. If fact a little over RPM is good early in the season. If not it might be a dirty bottom, too much propeller pitch or dirty air filters or aftercoolers.

[tom s]

I agree on trying to end the soot.My C12s were completly blacking the transom and cockpit.I had the intercoolers cleaned and it is virtually soot free now.Tom